While America is preoccupied with choosing its next president, a large group is being left behind in the decision-making process. Caucuses are not only places where we decide who will represent our nation, but also sites where we decide who is a member of our political community. Accessibility measures in the caucus process would shore up democratic legitimacy, reduce stigma, and ensure full democratic participation for one of the country’s largest minority groups. If we cannot accommodate everyone, it may instead be time to ask whether the benefits of this system are worth the costs to inclusive participation, or whether caucuses should be abandoned altogether.
Have I mentioned we should KILL the caucuses?